תָּאַב

From the study of Psalm 119:40

Range of meaning

To long for, yearn after. Found only in Ps 119:40 and 119:174. It is probably related to ʾāvâ ("to be willing, desire") and to taʾavah ("craving, desire"). Some scholars think it shows Aramaic influence, which would fit a later date for the psalm.

Against the English

English translations mostly render it well ("long for"). The KJV's "have longed after" keeps the Hebrew past form, which here describes a longing that began earlier and continues.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint renders it epethymēsa ("I desired"), the ordinary Greek word for strong desire. The same Greek verb is used of craving, good or bad, elsewhere.

From the study of Psalm 119:174

Range of meaning

To long for or yearn after something you do not yet have. It belongs to a small family of Hebrew longing words: the noun ta'avah, "longing" (Ps 119:20), and the related root avah, "to be willing, to want." The verb is very rare: it occurs only in Ps 119:40 ("I have longed for your precepts") and here.

Against the English

BSB, ESV, NIV and NASB use a present tense: "I long." KJV, WEB, YLT and NLT use "I have longed." Both are fair. With verbs of feeling, the Hebrew form often describes a state that began in the past and is still true. So "I have longed and still long" covers both.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere only Ps 119:40. In the Greek Septuagint it is ἐπεπόθησα (epepothēsa), "I yearned," a strong word for longing that Paul later uses for his longing to see churches (Rom 1:11; Phil 1:8).